Council Message: A History Worth Preserving
Author: Councilman Alexander Johnson
Originally published on the Riverton City Council Website April 1, 2026
Whenever you drive past the Riverton Cemetery, or past the older homes dotted along Redwood Road, you are looking at pieces of Riverton’s history. For many families, those places are not just landmarks; they are part of a living legacy. My own family’s roots in Riverton run as deep as the city itself. My fourth great-grandfather, Henry Seal, came to Riverton from Dorset, England, and was laid to rest in the Riverton Cemetery in 1900. Since then, every generation of my family has called Riverton home. Just over five months ago, my wife, Sara, and I welcomed our daughter, Opal—our family’s eighth generation—into this amazing community.
Families like mine were part of Riverton’s earliest story. Settlers lived along the Jordan River in simple dugout homes, working together to build irrigation systems that made farming possible. What was once known as Gardnersville slowly grew into a thriving agricultural community. Schools, churches, and roads followed, laying the foundation for the Riverton we know today.
It is easy to focus on the Riverton we know today: more than 45,000 people, almost 2,000 commercial and home-based businesses, thriving schools, neighborhoods, and a family-focused community. But everything we enjoy today was built on a foundation of hard work, cooperation, and that strong sense of community. Preserving our history is about understanding where we came from so we can grow thoughtfully and maintain the character that makes so many of us proud to call Riverton home.
Much of that preservation happens quietly through the Riverton Historic Preservation Commission, where I had the opportunity to serve before joining the City Council. The Commission plays a crucial role in helping identify, preserve, protect, and enhance the buildings, sites, and landmarks that tell Riverton’s story. From maintaining the city’s historic sites list to reviewing changes to designated properties, the Commission helps ensure that our city’s growth and preservation go hand in hand.
Many long-time residents, like my grandparents, remember a very different Riverton along Redwood Road. In some cases, we didn’t do enough to preserve those historic places. That reality underscores why this work matters today. As our city nears full build-out, we have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to learn from the past and ensure we protect and celebrate the historic places in our city that remain.
One important step forward last year was updating the Historic Homes Register, reducing the age requirement from 75 years to 50 years. That change has opened the door for more homes and properties to be recognized, giving residents the opportunity to take pride in their homes and preserve their piece of Riverton’s history. The Commission has also begun a Riverton City Oral History Project, asking thoughtful questions to long-time residents about their life experiences here and the stories they’d like to share and pass down to new generations.
Preserving our history isn’t something only the Commission can do. The most meaningful stories in Riverton aren’t just the buildings and homes on our historic register—it is our people. Family histories, photographs, and personal experiences all help shape how future generations will understand our wonderful community.
If you or your family have historical accounts of our city—or simply a desire to help preserve it—I encourage you to get involved! Consider joining the Historic Preservation Commission and help share and protect a history worth preserving.